Measure for Measure story
Measure for Measure is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604. Originally published in the First Folio of 1623, where it was listed as a comedy, the play's first recorded performance occurred in 1604. The play's main themes include justice, "morality and mercy in Vienna", and the dichotomy between corruption and purity: "some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall". Mercy and virtue prevail, as the play does not end tragically, with virtues such as compassion and forgiveness being exercised at the end of the production. While the play focuses on justice overall, the final scene illustrates that Shakespeare intended for moral justice to temper strict civil justice: a number of the characters receive understanding and leniency, instead of the harsh punishment to which they, according to the law, could have been sentenced. Measure for Measure is often called one of Shakespeare's problem plays. It continues to be classified as a comedy, although its tone sometimes defies this classification.
20 total · 2 choice · 11 major · 7 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| mercy | choice | it was noted that the old Duke would have been much more merciful than was the ruthless Angelo |
| mercy vs. justice | choice | Angelo was ruthless in executing justice according the letter of the law, and the duke did not approve |
| brother and sister | major | Isabella and Claudio |
| corruption in society | major | Angelo's offer to pardon Claudio in exchange for sex with Isabella, was rank corruption |
| having a baby out of wedlock | major | Claudio was about to be executed for having knocked up Juliet without first marrying her |
| hypocritical character | major | Angelo was outrageously hypocritical in condemning Claudio for extramarital fornication while Angelo himself used his office to pressure a young nun for sex |
| obsessive love | major | Angelo was so besotted with Isabella that he made himself a hypocrite and criminal |
| prostitution in society | major | puritanical Angelo started a campaign against whoring and brothels |
| ruthless character vs. merciful character | major | When pious Angelo obtained Dukal powers in Vienna he administered blind justice mercilessly. Thus he was compared and contrasted with Duke Vincentino, who later returned to show mercy on Claudio who had been harshly condemned to death for a measly bit of extramarital coitus. |
| ruthlessness | major | Angelo was notably ruthless in applying the law |